Effect of Tropicamide on Laser Flare Meter Measurements in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the effect of 1% tropicamide on anterior chamber aqueous flare (ACAF) measurements acquired with laser flare meter in patients with pseudoexfoliation.     

Effect of Nitroglycerin Inhalation on Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the postoperative hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin inhalation on patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery.

Methods: Twenty patients who underwent mitral valve replacement surgery were included in the study. In the surgical intensive care unit, at T0 (before the inhalation of nitroglycerin), basal systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics were recorded. Then, 2.5 [mu]g [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] min-1 nitroglycerin liquid nebulized by a 2-l gas flow of 40% oxygen and air mixture was administered to the patients who were diagnosed as having pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary arterial pressures > 25 mmHg). The same parameters were measured at the first (T1), third (T2), and fifth (T3) hours after the beginning of this treatment and 1 h after the end of nitroglycerin inhalation (T4).

Results: There were no statistically significant differences at T0, T1, T2, T3, or T4 with respect to heart rate, mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac index, mixed venous oxygen saturation, arteriovenous oxygen content difference, or arterial carbon dioxide tension. However, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and intrapulmonary shunt fraction were significantly lower, and the arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was higher at T1, T2, and T3 when compared to that of T0 and T4.     

The role of gastric Helicobacter pylori infection in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multidisciplinary clinical study. METHODS: Forty-four adult patients who applied to our ENT clinic with LPR symptoms were evaluated. Then these patients underwent upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy and double probe pH monitoring. In addition, during the endoscopy multiple biopsies from the stomach were obtained to detect H pylori. RESULTS: Results from 32 LPR positive patients were assessed (10 male and 22 female). There were no statistically significant differences between the presence of H pylori and sex, age, degree of gastritis and esophagitis, and also the number of reflux, fractional acid exposure time regarding proximal probe readings. Similarly for both proximal and distal probe readings, the average score of esophageal acid clearance was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found between the presence of H pylori and GERD (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that there is no relationship between gastric H pylori infection and LPR. EBM rating: B-3b.     

An inactivated temperature-sensitive mycoplasma gallisepticum mutant for protection against airsacculitis

A formalinised temperature-sensitive (TS) mutant of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant was capable of protecting chickens against airsacculitis after intra-air sac challenge with the virulent S6 strain at a statistically significant level. Formalinised TS MG vaccine without the addition of adjuvant yielded inconsistent results, and the outcome may have been dependent upon the dosage used.     

Phenotypic evaluation of the basal-like subtype of invasive breast carcinoma.

Microarray profiling of invasive breast carcinomas has identified five distinct subtypes of tumors (luminal A, luminal B, normal breast-like, HER2 overexpressing, and basal-like) that are associated with different clinical outcomes. The basal-like subtype is associated with poor clinical outcomes and is the subtype observed in BRCA1-related breast cancers. The aim of this study was to characterize the histologic and immunophenotypic properties of breast basal-like carcinomas that were first positively identified using DNA microarray analysis. Detailed histologic review was performed on 56 tumors with known microarray profiles (23 basal-like, 23 luminal, and 12 HER2+). Immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor (ER), HER2, EGFR, smooth muscle actin (SMA), p63, CD10, cytokeratin 5/6, cytokeratin 8/18, and vimentin was performed on 18 basal-like, 16 luminal, and 12 HER2+ tumors. The basal-like tumors were grade 3 ductal/NOS (21/23) or metaplastic (2/23) carcinomas that frequently showed geographic necrosis (17/23), a pushing border of invasion (14/23), and a stromal lymphocytic response (13/23). Most basal-like tumors showed immunoreactivity for vimentin (17/18), luminal cytokeratin 8/18 (15/18), EGFR (13/18), and cytokeratin 5/6 (11/18), while positivity for the myoepithelial markers SMA (4/18), p63 (4/18) and CD10 (2/18) was infrequent. All basal-like tumors tested were ER- and HER2-. Morphologic features significantly associated with the basal-like subtype included markedly elevated mitotic count (P<0.0001), geographic tumor necrosis (P=0.0003), pushing margin of invasion (P=0.0001), and stromal lymphocytic response (P=0.01). The most consistent immunophenotype seen in the basal-like tumors was negativity for ER and HER2, and positivity for vimentin, EGFR, cytokeratin 8/18, and cytokeratin 5/6. The infrequent expression of myoepithelial markers in basal-like carcinomas does not support a direct myoepithelial cell derivation of these tumors. These findings should further assist in the identification of basal-like carcinomas in clinical specimens, facilitating treatment and epidemiologic studies of this tumor subtype.     

Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Treatment

Aim

In this study. it was aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and the factors that may affect the occurrence of SD in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Methods

The sample of the study consists of 49 patients (20 females. 29 males) receiving treatment in the hemodialysis unit of a university hospital. The data of the study were collected through a general information form including socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). International Assessment Form for Erectile Function (IIEF) and Quality of Life Scale (SF-36).

Results

In our study. SD was detected in all patient groups. While the most affected area was seen to be orgasmic function and the least affected area was sexual desire in famales. the most affected area was found to be orgasmic function and the least affected area was erectile dysfunction in males. Such factors as age. profession. having a child. working status and duration of hemodialysis were found to affect occurrence of SD. There was a relationship between all sub-dimensions of sexual function and quality of life in male and female subjects.

Conclusion

In conclusion. sexual dysfunction is commonly encountered in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. In these patients. psychosocial factors as well as disease-related factors have an effect on SD. Therefore. SD should be evaluated together with disease-related factors as well as psychosocial factors in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

     

Immunogenicity of fowlpox virus expressing the avian influenza virus H5 gene (TROVAC AIV-H5) in cats

Vaccination of cats with fowlpox virus expressing the avian influenza (AI) virus H5 hemagglutinin gene (TROVAC AI) resulted in detectable hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody responses to the homologous A/Turkey/Ireland/1378/83 (H5N8) (A/tky/Ire/83) AI virus antigen. The HI antibody responses to heterologous A/Chicken/Indonesia/7/03 (H5N1) (A/ck/Indonesia/03) AI virus antigen were also detected in all vaccinated cats, but only after booster vaccinations. The vaccine described in this study and other poxvirus-vectored vaccines may be of value for the prophylaxis of AI virus-associated morbidity and mortality in mammals.     

Peer Education from the Perspective of Peer Educators

Peer educators (PEs) have a significant role in providing education on various health issues like smoking, alcohol, and other substance use. This study aimed to determine the experiences and opinions of PEs regarding a peer education program. Using the qualitative research method, data were collected from the study sample, which consisted of 23 student PEs, via semi-structured focus group discussions. Three main themes were developed: the Perceived Efficacy of Peer Education, Suggestions Regarding a Peer Education Program, and Contribution of the Peer Education Program to PEs. This study showed that peer educators thought peer education to be a highly effective method for the prevention of substance abuse. To improve the effectiveness of the program, it was recommended that it be started during middle school instead of high school, that families and local institutions be involved in the program, and that the students be directed to participate in arts, sports, and social activities.     

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of some trimethoprim salts

In this study, the antimicrobial activities of Trimethoprim (1), Trimethoprim + Maleic acid (2), Trimethoprim + Oxalic acid dihydrate (3), and Trimethoprim + trans-1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (4) were investigated for their in vitro growth inhibitory activity against human pathogenic as some bacteria and fungi. Substances were tested using the micro-broth dilution assay. The chemical agents showed the same activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris. Inhibitory activities of test chemicals against different Candida strains were determined to be widely moderate.